Microwave intercept receiver sensitivity estimation

Abstract

The author applies probability and correlation analysis methods to predict the RF sensitivity and measurement accuracy of wideband automatic electronic warfare (EW) systems. The effects of system noise on the accuracy and fidelity of the main EW parameter estimators, pulse width, frequency and bearing in the critical threshold region are investigated. The sensitivity analysis technique is suitable for use in modern software spreadsheets to generate accurate and realistic system budgets and covers receiver systems driven by RF channels exhibiting large scale gain variations. The method divides the RF band into a number of subbands and derives equations for the analysis of multiplier-based demodulators used in instantaneous frequency measurement (IFM) and interferometer systems. Common receiver demodulators are compared in terms of signal-to-noise performance and include the square law detector, the coherent detector, delay line discriminators and the interferometer or homodyne. The final Section compares the design and performance of some example receiver types.